Falling for the Forest Ranger. Leigh Bale

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СКАЧАТЬ he said he wasn’t bothered by the scratches, then she shouldn’t be, either. But she sure wished he’d let her pay for the repairs.

      “Shall we go?” she asked.

      “Yeah, let me help you with that.”

      He reached to take the picnic basket and bag from her. His fingertips felt warm and roughened by calluses as they brushed against her hand. He jerked back, as though he’d been burned. She couldn’t read his expression as he turned and opened the door of his truck so she and Jonah could climb inside.

      “We’re not taking a Forest Service vehicle?” she asked as she settled into her seat.

      He shook his head, staring at the basket with pensive eyes. “No, it wouldn’t look good with Jonah along. Someone might complain that we’re using a federal vehicle for personal use.”

      Her mouth dropped open. “Why would they do that?”

      He shrugged his broad shoulders. “Beats me. One of my friends almost got fired over such a trivial thing.”

      “Because he had one of his children in a government vehicle?”

      “Yep. People don’t stop to realize the long hours a forest ranger works. Sometimes they take their family with them up into the mountains just so they can spend some time together. Since we’ll have Jonah with us today, I figure it’s best to take my own vehicle. Better safe than sorry.”

      She never knew. But then, she figured she had a lot to learn on this new assignment. She’d lived in large cities all her life, spending the majority of her time in a lab. She’d never worked out in the field with farmers, ranchers, or logging and mining operations. As long as she helped resolve some of the fishery problems, the inconvenience of moving to this tiny town would be worth it.

      “What’s this?” He gestured to the basket.

      “Our lunch. Since we’ll be gone most of the day, I thought we might get hungry.”

      He frowned. “I didn’t think about that.”

      She laughed, trying to lighten him up with a bit of humor. “You must not have any kids.”

      “Nope.” His jaw hardened as he stashed the basket in the backseat.

      Oh, dear. This wasn’t working out the way she’d hoped. Was he like this with everyone he met or just her?

      She glanced at his ring finger and found it bare. Not even a hint of a shadow. That didn’t mean he wasn’t in a relationship, but he didn’t have the manners of a married man. Maybe he just liked to keep to himself. Or maybe, from the way he kept tossing covert, grumpy looks in her direction, he just didn’t like her. She didn’t know why that would be, but maybe keeping things between them professional would be best. She didn’t want a romantic entanglement right now. She had her hands full with her job and raising her son.

      She jerked her thumb toward Jonah. “With this kid always asking for food, I learned to always have snacks on hand. Don’t worry. We have plenty for you, too.”

      He hesitated, a look of open amazement on his face. As if he couldn’t believe she’d provide for him, too. Then he rounded the truck and got into the driver’s seat before addressing her comment. “You don’t need to feed me.”

      She gave a soft laugh, wishing he wasn’t so handsome. “Don’t worry. We’re happy to share.”

      “Wait till you taste Mom’s cookies.” Jonah leaned close to Tanner’s side and shielded his mouth with one hand as he whispered loudly, “But she thinks I don’t know about them, so act surprised when she gets them out, okay?”

      Tanner laughed, a spontaneous sound that rumbled deep in his chest. “I think the cat’s out of the bag now.”

      He indicated Zoë with his chin. Jonah glanced at his mother and realized that she’d overheard every word.

      “Ah!” the boy groaned and covered his face with his hands.

      She gave him a scolding look. “I take it you did a little peeking this morning while I was getting dressed.”

      “Just a little,” Jonah said.

      And yet, she hadn’t been able to get him out of bed. She shook her head, never understanding the workings of a child’s mind.

      Tanner chuckled and Zoë couldn’t deny that she found the sound delightful. Finally. Finally they’d broken through his harsh exterior.

      “You should do that more often,” she said.

      “What?” Tanner inserted the key into the ignition and started the engine.

      “Laugh.”

      He flushed a deep red color, looking mortified. Which made her laugh, in turn.

      “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone,” she said. “We wouldn’t want to ruin your fierce reputation.”

      As if trying to ignore her comments, Tanner glanced at Jonah. “How old are you?”

      “Six. I play T-ball. I can hit the ball clearrrr across the field.” He opened his little arms wide to make his point. “Next fall, I’ll be in second grade. Do you like to fish?”

      Tanner blinked, as though trying to keep up with the changes in conversation. “Yeah, I like to fish.”

      “Can we go fishing today?”

      Tanner put the truck into gear and pulled out of the parking lot. Over the top of the boy’s head, he met Zoë’s gaze. “I’m afraid not. We’re going to meet with some farmers today. Do you like to fish?”

      Jonah shrugged, gazing over the dashboard and out the windshield. “Don’t know. Remember? I already told you I never been before. But I’d sure like to go sometime.”

      Tanner looked straight ahead as they approached the intersection.

      Jonah kept talking. “My dad used to go fishing when he was a kid. Mom told me so. Even though he died, Mom says he loved me like crazy.”

      Oh, that hurt. Zoë had never heard Jonah speak so freely about his father. It still left her breathless with pain every time she thought about Derek’s death in a skiing accident only eleven months after Jonah’s birth. Without warning, all their hopes and dreams had been dashed to pieces. And poor Jonah, left without a father. He didn’t even remember his daddy, outside of the things she had told him.

      Life could be so unfair.

      “Is that so?” Tanner’s gaze slid over Zoë, as if seeking the truth in her eyes.

      “Yeah, but me and Mom get along just fine. Someday, I suppose she’ll get married again. But not without my approval. She told me so.” Jonah sat between them, smiling with anticipation.

      “My dad died when I was eight and my mom when I was ten,” Tanner said.

      Zoë hadn’t expected him to confide something so personal. Not to them. Her heart went out to him. Being orphaned so young СКАЧАТЬ